Last week, I went to St. Martin, a beautiful little island in the Caribbean. As well as gorgeous scenery, lovely weather and excellent food, the place boasts signs like this one:
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think I want to stay in a guest house/funeral home, though as a setting for a murder mystery, it can't be beat. (Although "Jeffery's Auto Supply and Fantastic Guest House, a mere three doors down the same street, comes a close second!)
As I sat on the fabulous beach looking out over the water, I thought what a great setting it would be for something really dastardly. (Especially since research would require a great many more trips to the island.) Being of an Arthurian bent--my degrees are all in really useful things like Medieval Literature--I immediately imagined a white-clad arm reaching up from the smooth sea, sword in hand. After that, things got a little hazy. No plot or characters, just that image. (To be perfectly honest, the lack of detail might have had something to do with the pina coladas.)
Either way, this is the first time I've ever been inspired by a setting. Usually, the characters come first, needling me to give them space and time. Once in a while an event pops up, or a profession, or a snippet of conversation. But never, in my experience, a view, a place or an image.
How about you? What inspires you to write?
Monday, June 25, 2007
Therein Lies A Tale
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4 comments:
I think a well written song inspires me to write more than anything.
A truly unique and interseting character I spot would come in second. Of course these people probably aren't as unique as I think, but once my imagination transforms them they are mine to do with as I wish.
"they are mine to do with as I wish." muwahahaha....
A song! I never even thought of that, though I certainly am one of those people who likes to write with music on.
Being moved by something can be an inspiration, and that often includes beauty, so there you go.... (Welcome home, btw...sounds like a delicious vacation!)
Getting one word (or several) in my head that will improve something already written ... man I can't wait to get back to the page for those brainstorms. Requires daydream. Or night dreaming.
I love those guest house names - seriously weird!
But your post has made me realise that I am mad to be writing stories set in Taupo, the town 50 kilometres down the road from where I live. I should be placing my stories in some setting I've always wanted to visit so that I can do the necessary dozen - at least - research trips!
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